LeBron James, the “chosen one”
The one-handed pass from the dribble with which he served Hachimura on the perimeter, in the victory over Memphisis worthy of the best John Stockton. For vision of the game, timing, ability to put it on the shooter’s right hand. It is surprising, among other things, to see that a few plays later that same skilled passer goes with his back to the basket with great physical presence and turns on the pivot to finish in support of the table, taking advantage of the mismatch against Wells. A record-breaking game completeness in history. This is it LeBron James. A well blended concentrate of fundamentals, physical, body care. A player who, even today, at the age of 40, does not pursue anyone individually. He’s always there, among the best. The consecutive triple-doubles are 3. It’s not so much the numbers that raise eyebrows. And it’s not just the physical ability to endure all these seasons (almost) unscathed NBA. It’s there mental superiority to impress. Because it takes mental superiority to still have the ability to remain at those levels and find stimulation, after you have nothing left to prove. Since high school, they have nicknamed him The chosen one. If we ask ourselves what, why they (pre)chose him from an early age, the answer is: for this, precisely for all of this.
Meat: 50 in 26 minutes
In the victory of the Spurs are Washington there was a pervasive sense of having witnessed the realization of everything one had ever fantasized about Victor Wembanyama. A player who is the first of his kind. The Frenchman made 50 (in just 26 minutes of play), shooting a sensational 8 out of 16 three-pointers. He scored from every part of the pitch. Even where, generally speaking, a 2.24 shouldn’t be found. Like when he made a triple from nine meters because his opponent, the rookie Sarrthought it best to baptize it, considering the distance prohibitive. Or like when, again against Sarr, the center of Saint Anthony he aimed at him in one on one and after a change of direction between his legs he shot at his head, finding an angle of the table that was difficult even to think of with that angle. Wemby, among other things, seems to have improved this season in the use of the pivot even in dynamic situations, when he finds the center of the air and tries to create separation for a support or a half-hook. It will allow all of this for the Spurs to go to playoff? Probably not. We’ll see. For now, however, I’m at a 50% win rate. Which, with that roster and without a coach Popovichit wasn’t so obvious.
The Bucks’ problem?
What’s the problem with Milwaukee? Hard to say. But it’s hard to believe that a team with Antetokounmpo e Demon Lillard stations in the slums of Eastern Conference (4 wins and 8 losses). The Greek, a few nights ago, in the victory against Detroit, once again demonstrated his ability to be virtually unmarkable if he is half a step ahead of the defender in dynamic situations. For him, 59 points and some spins on the pivot so fast that they changed the earth’s rotation. But things aren’t going right. Lacks Middletoninjured, which takes away a 3&D (outside shot and defense) capable of giving balance to the attack and taking offensive responsibilities as a third point of fire. Without him, the perimeter loses its danger, because Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis e Trent Jr they’re doing it badly. Plus, the alternation on the pitch between the Greek superstar and the ex Portland – to always have a first violin on the pitch – doesn’t seem to work perfectly. The road is still long and any definitive judgment is too hasty. However, it must be said, we expected more.
That’s all Folks!
See you next week.
